Investigators have not ruled out foul play in the death of a young Arkansas man whose body was discovered in an empty bathtub next to a sleeping TV meteorologist, a police spokesman tells FoxNews.com.
Dexter Williams, 24, of Mountain Pine, Ark., was found dead early Monday inside the bathtub --
naked and wearing a silver dog collar-style chain around his neck. The man's friend, 33-year-old Little Rock weatherman Brett Cummins, was asleep and lying next to him at the home in Maumelle, Ark., according to police. The homeowner, 36-year-old Christopher Barbour, reportedly made the discovery after hearing loud snoring coming from the master bathroom.
Maumelle Police spokesman Lt. Jim Hansard told FoxNews.com that traces of blood were found in the bathtub and that authorities are considering foul play in their investigation. He said police are awaiting the results of an autopsy and toxicology tests conducted Tuesday on Williams. No charges have been filed, though police suspect drugs and alcohol were involved, Hansard said.
"We have not ruled out foul play," he said. "This is an open investigation."
At around 8 p.m. on Sunday, Cummins brought Williams over to Barbour's house, where the three drank and snorted illegal drugs, Barbour reportedly told investigators. He said Cummins and Williams got into the bathtub in his bathroom at around 10 p.m. and continued to drink, according to local press accounts.
Barbour reportedly told police he discovered the pair in the bathroom at around 8 a.m. the next day. He said he shook Cummins, who was snoring, and the two of them then tried to wake up Williams.
Cummins reportedly screamed when he saw William's discolored face and bolted from the bathroom and vomited on the living room carpet.
KARK-TV in Little Rock, where Cummins works as a weatherman, posted a report of the death on its website on Tuesday. The report said, "Our meteorologist Brett Cummins was at the home at the time of the death and we felt we should share this with our viewers. Brett will not be on the air as he is mourning the loss of his friend. Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of Dexter Williams."
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